General manager Brian Cashman said Wednesday that even though the pitching-depleted New York Yankees are engaged in a bitter division battle with the Tampa Bay Rays, he does not anticipate going outside the organization for help before the Aug. 31 waiver deadline.

“What we got is what we’re going with,” Cashman said by phone from his office at Yankee Stadium. “I anticipate we are going to use the alternatives we have here.”

That means youngster Ivan Nova, journeyman Dustin Moseley and, hopefully, a return to form by Andy Pettitte, out since July 18 with a groin strain. “That is what we expect to happen,” Cashman said.

He also refuted media reports that the Yankees were planning to acquire Hiroki Kuroda, the Dodgers’ Japanese righty who is rumored to have been placed on waivers by the Dodgers.

“I haven’t thought about him. I don’t even know if he’s on waivers yet,” Cashman said. “Besides, I’d be hard-pressed to find a pitcher on the waiver wire who can pitch better for us than Dustin Moseley has.”

“I’m not even thinking along those terms because right now I’m not interested in adding anyone,” Cashman said. “I like the team we have and I think we have what it takes to get the job done.”

Note: “I anticipate we are going to use the alternatives we have here.”

So, bascially, this means that anything is possible. And, we’re going to have to wait until next Tuesday to see what shakes out.